A museum in Negri Sembilan is defying calls for it to stop a popular exhibition featuring ghosts and other supernatural beings, arguing it has educational value.

The Negri Sembilan state's museum in Seremban has attracted about 20,000 visitors to view the ghost and genie exhibition since its launch on March 10, the New Straits Times reported.

However, some Muslim authorities have criticised previous exhibitions on ghosts and spirits as unIslamic, and the latest effort by the museum has attracted calls from a prominent mufti and a minister for it to be shut down.

But museum curator Shamsuddin Ahmad said closing the exhibit would defeat its purpose.

"When we planned this exhibition, one of the main objectives was to educate the public, which is why, besides exhibiting the artifacts, we also plan a series of dialogues and talks about the supernatural," Shamsuddin was quoted as saying.

"If we stop now, we will not fulfil the objective of the exhibition," he said.

All things supernatural

Culture and Arts Minister Rais Yatim criticised the Negri Sembilan government at the weekend for allowing the exhibition, arguing it did not benefit the community.

A prominent mufti from Perlis also reportedly said ghost exhibitions, including the latest one, should be stopped, since they encouraged Malaysians to live in a fantasy world.

Malaysians have a lingering fascination with all things supernatural, despite the criticisms.

A belief in spirits and black magic used to be common in rural Malaysia, bred on myths and superstitions. It was used to gain power and wealth, and to harm enemies.

The practice reached its height during the sultanate days of the 16th century, but faded away as the influence of Islam grew in this multicultural nation.